Yucatan News: Chefs and Animals
Merida: Trash Pickup May Soon be Free
For some years now, Merida has worked hard to develop a culture of recycling where trash of all kinds is concerned. That dogged determination may soon pay off. It has come to light that the profits obtained from recycling may now be sufficient to provide free trash pickup to everyone in Merida and its comisarias. This would be a boon for the poor, who have seldom had the money to pay for trash pickup. It might also stop the throwing of trash in empty lots and in the streets and could very well contribute significantly to a decrease in dengue fever by depriving mosquitoes of opportunistic breeding places. Trash pickup used to be free in the centro, and that worked well. Under this new program, some neighborhoods would have community dumpsters, and hospitals would be served by hazardous waste companies. Everyone is waiting to hear what lawmakers think of this idea and we will be sure to follow up on the outcome.
CFE Winter Rates Began October 1
Don't forget. CFE's lower rates for summer electricity dropped off on October 1 and won't resume until April 1. To learn more about saving energy in Yucatan, visit Yucatan Living's Saving Energy in Yucatan to learn more about this process and how it will affect your electric bill.
Yucatan Chef Headed for China
Yucateco restauranteur David Cetina Medina has been a professional chef since the age of ten. His career developed under the watchful eye and constant encouragement of his beloved grandmother. As the years passed, his exceptional talent brought national and international recognition to both the chef and to Yucatan. Now, David Cetina Medina will be traveling to China, where he will present the foods of Yucatan to China in a series of receptions and gala dinners in the Mexican Embassy. David Cetina Medina is the owner of the restaurant La Tradicion , which is soon to be franchised to ten different cities. David Cetina Medina is such a special person, in and out of the kitchen, that the National Tourism Board has named him one of Mexico's Treasures. While many know David Cetina Medina, what you might also be interested in is the fact that his grandfather, Albino Medina Peraza, is considered to be the creator of the botana in Yucatan. Everyone is very proud of David and of his accomplishments, and we wish him well on his trip to China.
Upper Respiratory Virus Hits Yucatan's Children
This past week, the number of children presenting with upper respiratory infections has soared, as have the numbers of children with acute diarrhea caused, for the most part, by rotavirus. Parents are asked to keep their sick children at home, have them drink plenty of fluids and eat plenty of fruit or other foods that contain vitamin C. They should also avoid self-medication because this is a virus and will correct itself within two days to two weeks. If the child is vomiting or has diarrhea for more than two days, parents should bring them in to the doctor. This is a serious issue. For the year, the number of cases stands at 14,641, with 6,383 of those in the last week alone. Scientists and medical professionals believe this phenomenon is due to climate changes, as well as to the constant rain of the past few months. Whatever the cause, we hope all of the sick little ones are well enough to put this behind them soon.
Baca: Profepa Confiscates More Prohibited Animals
This past week, Profepa went to a private home and collected a dozen animals, including a jaguar, an ocelot, a boa constrictor, seven mojinas turtles, and a kinkajou. Since the beginning of the year, they have arrested 200 individuals for poaching and the courts are making sure that they get the maximum sentences allowed by law. Some of these individuals keep the animals as personal property. Unfortunately, they do not usually get the proper food, housing or medical care. Others poach reptiles, mammals and birds to sell at home and abroad. The penalties run from 50,000 minimum wages to one to nine years in prison plus three more years if they were caught selling the animals, and an additional 4,300 minimum wages. Judges have a great deal of leeway in sentencing and, considering the level of this kind of activity that seems to be going on now, they are in "get tough" mode. Those of us who love animals are sad to see that this situation exists, but deeply thankful to Profepa and to the judicial system for their efforts on behalf of wildlife in Yucatan.
Mayan Language Normalized
It has taken five long years, but linguistics experts have finally completed a standard Mayan language that can be used by all Maya in literary and formal situations. There are standard spellings for words and standard grammar rules as well. There will soon be Mayan dictionaries available to the public and we would not be surprised to see language classes in standard Mayan. The best part of this development, however, is for the individual Maya. With a standard language, it will be much easier for the Maya to communicate across the entire Yucatan Peninsula and beyond.
Adult Education for Yucatan's Illiterate Adults
In the last national census, approximately 100,000 Yucatecos were either illiterate or were not educated to the degree that they should be. About half of this number are designated as Maya. This is understandable considering that many of these individuals grew up in rural areas and it has not been that long since public education reached into the far-outlying municipalities. INDEMAYA (the Institute for the Development of Maya Culture) and Yucatan's Adult Education Department are banding together to find and teach as many of these individuals as possible. The goal for this year is 14,000. We are certain that their efforts will be well received and wish them success.
Call for Contestants: Anti-Bullying Posters and Videos
If you know a talented young Yucateco between the ages of 12 and 16, do make sure they know that the City of Merida and the 20 members of the city's Anti-Bullying Network are holding a contest for the best anti-bullying poster and video. The entries can be made until October 31. This is a great contest because the posters and videos are to be judged separately, so that means two separate sets of prizes. In both cases, first place is an iPad, second place is a smartphone, and third place is a mini-laptop computer. Teachers should have all of the information necessary for the students to enter their work.
Yucatan: Perception of Insecurity Lowest in Mexico
The results of the 2014 National Survey on Victimization and Perception of Public Safety shows that Yucatan has the lowest perception of insecurity in the country (29.5%). This means that seven out of ten people feel safe in the State of Yucatan. Campeche, by comparison, has a perception of insecurity that stands at 58.9% and Quintana Roo a perception of insecurity of 67%. All three of the states on the Yucatan Peninsula have a perception of insecurity that is less than the national average, which is 73.3%. This is good news for Yucatan and every Yucateco should be congratulated on their determination to preserve the tranquility of the state of Yucatan.
Yucatan Recognized for Human Rights
The Comisión Unidos contra la Trata (Committee United Against Trafficking) has recognized Yucatan's efforts to prevent human trafficking in the State of Yucatan. Yucatan was also recognized in the field of crime prevention. Yucatan was praised for meeting the guidelines set forth by the United Nations with respect to mounting campaigns against crime of all kinds, as well as holding workshops and conferences related to preventing the use and selling of drugs and human trafficking. There was also recognition for Yucatan's efforts in the area of human rights and equality. This proactive approach to crime prevention is one of the major reasons for Yucatan's low crime rate. The people focus their attention on actually doing something to prevent these crimes from happening, which leaves little to no time for young people especially to go down the wrong paths.
Health Assessment: Not Good News
Sadly, it was announced on the occasion of World Heart Day, that coronary disease is now striking Yucatecos at ages 30, 35 and 40. While diabetes is reported as the leading cause of death, more than half of diabetics die of cardiovascular disease. This situation seems to begin with what is known as the "freshman 15" (pounds gained in the first year of college) and continues to grow worse as adult lifestyles have little room for exercise and proper nutrition. A diet of junk food doesn't help at any age. Specialists recommend drinking plenty of water, and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Reducing the number of sodas one drinks is also a key to stopping cardiac diseases in their tracks.
Didn't You Ever Want To.... ?
No matter where in the world you live, there is the distinct possibility that, at one time or another, you have wanted to plant a tree in a pesky pothole. In defense of the municipalities, way too much rain and a huge increase in the number of cars on Yucatan's streets and highways have caused pothole repairs to fall behind. As the weather clears, please be both patient and careful as you drive on our streets and highways. Or if you can't stand it anymore, plant something there! That will be sure to get someone's attention.
Art in Valladolid
A new expat in the Valladolid area is bringing her extensive art and design background to a select group of students in October, November and December. If you are interested in studying art in that area, for three hours each morning over three days, you can learn drawing and illustration from a trained professional. Check out Amanda's blog about her art here, and then contact her if you are interested! This is a great opportunity if you live or are traveling to the area.
